Fungal Communities Research Articles

Development of root rot in Zanthoxylum bungeanum is closely linked to changes in soil microbial communities, enzyme activities, and physicochemical factors

Due to the emergence of root rot (RR), it can cause harm to the health of Zanthoxylum bungeanum (Z. bungeanum) plants. However, the reason for this is not clear, and further research is needed. We selected healthy and RR-affected 6-year-old Z. bungeanum trees (infected for 1 year), collected their rhizosphere and bulk soils, and analyzed soil microbial communities, enzyme activities, and physicochemical properties. When the plants were diseased, soil water content (SWC), available potassium (AK), organic matter (OM) contents, β-1,4-glucosidase (β-G) activity, and fungal Shannon index significantly decreased, while bacterial Shannon index significantly increased in the rhizosphere soil. Soil total nitrogen (TN), SWC, AK, OM contents, and β-G and N-acetyl-glucosamine (NAG) activity significantly reduced, while fungal Simpson index significantly increased in the bulk soil. There were significant differences in the bacterial communities of bulk and rhizosphere soil. However, there were no obvious differences in the fungal communities. Pearson's correlation analysis showed that changes in soil microbial communities were significantly correlated with changes in the contents of TN, AK, OM, and SWC, as well as the activities of β-G and NAG. In summary, changes in soil AK, OM, SWC, and TN resulted in changes in microbial community composition, as well as changes in β-G and NAG activities, and these alterations may lead to RR in Z. bungeanum.

Probiotic yeast characterization and fungal amplicon metagenomics analysis of fermented bamboo shoot products from Arunachal Pradesh, northeast India

This study investigates the diverse fungal community and their probiotic functions present in ethnic fermented bamboo shoots of Arunachal Pradesh. Among 95 yeast isolates, 13 demonstrated notable probiotic attributes. These included growth at pH 3, bile tolerance, autoaggregation, co-aggregation, hydrophobicity, lysozyme tolerance and antimicrobial activity. Confirmation of some of the probiotic properties through specific primers enabled the detection of genes associated with acid and bile tolerance, antimicrobial activity, and adhesion. Probiotic yeasts were finally identified based on D1 and D2 sequences of large ribosomal subunit as Meyerozyma guilliermondii (BEP1, KGM1_3, NHR3), Meyerozyma caribbica (GEP7), Candida orthopsilopsis (ES1_2, EB1_2, EEGM2_4, GEP2, NEK9), Candida parasilopsis (HD1_1), Pichia kudriavzevii (NHR12), Pichia fermentans (BEP2), and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (NEP2). Fungal amplicon sequencing highlighted the predominance of Ascomycetes, particularly Pestalotiopsis and Penicillium genera. In this study we have perfomed a culture dependent isolation and probiotic study of yeasts and culture independent analysis of the fungal community present during the fermentation of bamboo shoots of Arunachal Pradesh which provides information about the beneficial properties of bamboo shoots as the reservoir of probiotic microorganisms.

Root-associated mycobiota of <i>Goodyera repens (Orchidaceae)</i> populations from three Russian regions

Goodyera repens is an orchid, widespread and abundant in the coniferous forests of the northern hemisphere. Along with other members of Orchidaceae, in natural conditions it exists in obligate mycorrhizal symbiosis. Despite a long history of study, no data on the mycobiota associated with the root system of this species have been obtained for populations growing in Russia. It is therefore necessary to assess the entire diversity of fungal associates, including non-cultivated species, as well as to obtain quantitative characteristics and evaluate the geographic specificity of fungal communities. In this work, the mycobiota of the root system of G. repens growing in the Leningrad and Moscow Regions and Karachay-Cherkess Republic was analysed qualitatively and quantitatively for the first time using high-throughput sequencing. A total of 438 operational taxonomic units were identified, with the majority belonging to the subdivision Basidiomycota. The quantitative predominance of sequences of the genera Russula, Ceratobasidium, Piloderma, Mycena, and Tomentella was observed. Significant differences between fungal communities of soil and the root system of G. repens were established in all studied regions. The regional specificity of the taxonomic composition of the mycobiota was demonstrated. The taxa spectrum of the samples from Karachay-Cherkessia differed significantly from that of the Leningrad and Moscow Regions, while no notable difference was observed between the latter two. With regard to the distribution of ecological groups of fungi, no significant differences were found between the regions.

The mango bacterial black spot altered the endophyte community structure and diversity

Mango bacterial black spot is a major disease limiting mango production, which is now causing increasingly severe economic losses. In this study, we analyzed the differences in the composition and structure of bacterial and fungal communities in the pulp and leaves between the healthy mangoes of variety Kate and those affected by bacterial black spot, and attempted to explore potential biocontrol microorganisms for mangoes. The results showed there existed significant differences in microbial communities, the bacterial Stenotrophomonas, Curtobacterium, Massilia and fungous Penicillium, Alternaria, Aureobasidiu showed great abundance both in pulps and leaves. Some potential pathogenic bacteria, such as Pseudomonas, Xanthomonas, and Burkholderia, were also significantly enriched in the infected groups. In both the infected and healthy groups, the overall community structure of endophytic bacteria and fungi within the same organs was more similar, indicating that the composition of endophytes is organ-specific. After infection, the abundance of the potential probiotic bacterium class Paenibacillus was significantly increased both in leaves and pulp, suggesting that the pathogen invasion stimulated the defense systems of endophytes. Presumably, these Paenibacillus might be developed as defense bacteria for black spot as well as other plant diseases.

Modulations of the skin microbiome in skin disorders: A narrative review from a wound care perspective.

The cutaneous microbiome represents a highly dynamic community of bacteria, fungi and viruses. Scientific evidence, particularly from the last two decades, has revealed that these organisms are far from being inconsequential microscopic hitchhikers on the human body, nor are they all opportunistic pathogens waiting for the chance to penetrate the skin barrier and cause infection. In this review, we will describe how dermatological diseases have been found to be associated with disruptions and imbalances in the skin microbiome and how this new evidence had shaped the diagnosis and clinical practice relating to these disorders. We will identify the microbial agents which have been found to directly exacerbate skin diseases, as well as those which can ameliorate many of the symptoms associated with dermatological disorders. Furthermore, we will discuss the studies which suggest that bacteriotherapy, either by topical use of probiotics or by bacteria-derived compounds, can rectify skin microbial imbalances, thereby offering a promising alternative to antibiotic treatment and reducing the risks of antibiotic resistance.

Globally Distributed Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Associated With Invasive Cinchona pubescens on Santa Cruz Island, Galápagos.

The presence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) is essential for the survival and establishment of most plant species in nature. The reproductive success of invasive plant species in a particular habitat could also depend on these AM fungi. Cinchona pubescens, commonly known as quinine, is highly invasive on Santa Cruz Island, Galápagos, but at the same time severely endangered in its native range on mainland Ecuador due to overexploitation in the past. In this study, we aim at determining the AMF communities associated with C. pubescens at both locations to investigate whether the successful invasion of C. pubescens on Santa Cruz is related to its association with a particular community of AMF. For this, roots of C. pubescens trees were sampled at three sites, one site on Santa Cruz and two sites in the province of Loja, on mainland Ecuador. Communities of AM fungi were determined through the molecular cloning and sequencing of the 18S nrDNA gene and through the delimitation of Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs), associated with the plant roots. We found 36 AMF OTUs associated with C. pubescens, most of them belonging to the genus Glomus. The highest richness of AMF OTUs was detected in samples from sites located on mainland Ecuador. The AMF communities between Santa Cruz and mainland Ecuador were significantly different, and only five OTUs were shared between both locations. Two dominant OTUs in C. pubescens from Santa Cruz were detected but no dominant OTUs from mainland Ecuador. Almost two thirds of the OTUs associated with C. pubescens had a wide global distribution. Our results suggest that the successful invasion of C. pubescens on Santa Cruz could have been facilitated by local generalist AMF and not by particular AMF. The observed generalist AMF from both locations could be important for conservation plans of restoring the endangered C. pubescens in the native forests on mainland Ecuador.

Ant's Nest as a microenvironment: Distinct Mucoromycota (Fungi) community of the red wood ants' (Formica polyctena) mounds.

Many social insect species build nests, which differ from the surrounding environment and are often occupied by specific organismal communities. These organisms may interact mutualistically or parasitically with the nest-builders, or simply co-occur, being able to survive in these microenvironments. In temperate forests, red wood ants (e.g. Formica polyctena) are known to create distinct, highly developed nests, which consist of large, above-ground mounds, built primarily out of plant matter collected from the forest litter. The microorganismal communities of such mounds remain understudied. As representatives of Mucoromycota fungi commonly engage in the decomposition process of the forest litter, they would be expected to occur in the mounds. However, it is still not known whether the Mucoromycota community of these ants' nests differ from the one of the surrounding forest litter. In order to distinguish mound-associated taxa, we characterized Mucoromycota communities of Formica polyctena mounds and the surrounding forest litter. We sampled four sites, twice in a season. Sampled material was plated on agar media and emerging Mucoromycota colonies were identified based on their morphology. Fungal identification was further confirmed using DNA barcoding. In order to compare described communities, PERMANOVA test and non-metric multidimensional scaling ordinations were used. To distinguish taxa associated with the mounds, multilevel pattern analysis was performed. Our results show that the Mucoromycota community of Formica polyctena's mound differs from the community of the surrounding forest litter. While representatives of Entomortierella lignicola and Absidia cylindrospora clade were found to be associated with the mound environment, representatives of Umbelopsis curvata and Podila verticillata-humilis clade were associated with forest litter, and were rarely present in the mounds. Our findings strongly suggest that the red wood ants' nest is a specific microenvironment in the temperate forest floor, which is a preferred microhabitat for the mound-associated Mucoromycota, possibly adapted to live in proximity to ants.

Food waste biochar for sustainable agricultural use: Effects on soil enzymes, microbial community, lettuce, and earthworms

This study investigates the effects of food waste biochar (FWB) on the biological properties of soil, including the microbial community structure, enzyme activities, lettuce growth, and earthworm ecotoxicity. This holistic assessment of various soil organisms was used to assess the potential of FWB as a soil amendment strategy. Pot experiments were carried out over a 28-d period using various FWB concentrations in soil (0–3% w/w). The presence of FWB enhanced the activity of alkaline phosphatase and beta-glucosidase in proportion to the FWB concentration. Similarly, the dehydrogenase activity after 28 d was positively correlated with the FWB concentration. Notably, the application of FWB improved the bacterial diversity in the soil, particularly among hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria, while also prompting a shift in the fungal community structure at the class level. Measures of lettuce growth, including total fresh weight, shoot length, and leaf number, also generally improved with the addition of FWB, particularly at higher concentrations. Importantly, FWB did not adversely affect the survival or weight of earthworms. Collectively, these findings suggest that FWB can enhance soil microbial enzyme activity and support plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria, potentially leading to increased crop yields. This highlights the potential of FWB as an eco-friendly soil amendment strategy.

Modulation of metagenomic, biochemical, and histo-morphological features in the termite Odontotermes formosanus through nanoemulsion treatment

A biotechnological technique that involves creating novel pesticides is the nanotechnology of natural compounds, like essential oils. With a lower threat to the environment and public health, these rational approaches provide a more sustainable choice. The present work sought to create novel nanoemulsions of ginger essential oil (G-EO) (Zingiber officinale) and basil essential oil (B-EO) (Ocimum basilicum) to control Odontotermes formosanus (O. formosanus). Stabilization of the ginger nano-emulsion (G-NE) and basil nano-emulsion (B-NE) was assessed by dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential (ZP), and PH measurement, and the characterization was verified by transmission electron microscopy, UV-Vis, energy dispersive spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Furthermore, a chemical investigation utilizing gas chromatography and mass spectrometers revealed the main components of B-NE, B-EO, G-NE, and G-EO. In addition to assessing the essential oil's termiticidal abilities against O. formosanus in bulk and nanoemulsion formulations. When G-NE and G-EO were both at 17.5 mg/mL, the mortality rates were 100% and 42.87%, respectively. B-EO appeared to have a 45.33% death rate, while B-NE displayed a 100% mortality rate at a dose of 0.273 mg/mL. According to the termiticide appraisal, nanoemulsions have a greater effect on suppressing O. formosanus than essential oils. Additional research was conducted on the impact of G-NE and B-NE on the level of total protein, detoxification enzymes (carboxylesterase, acid, alkaline phosphatase, and acetylcholinesterase), and antioxidant enzyme (peroxidase). It was found that there was a significant change in biochemical activities when compared to the control. Additionally, changes in morphology and histology were seen after exposure to G-NE and B-NE. Moreover, when contrasted to the untreated group, the current study's analysis of the fungal community after exposure to B-NE revealed a high degree of diversity. This work stressed the potential of G-NE and B-NE as natural plant-derived termiticides and suggested a novel technique for sustainability and environmental friendliness in controlling O. formosanus.

Leguminous green mulching alters the microbial community structure and increases microbial diversity by improving nitrogen availability in subtropical orchard systems in China

Microorganisms, the major decomposers of plant residues, are crucial for soil nutrient cycling. Living grass mulching effectively alters microbial community structure and promotes nutrient cycling. However, its consistency with mulching ages and growth periods remains unclear. Therefore, this study aims to clarify the dynamic characteristics of microbial communities and enzyme activities across different mulching ages. In this study, high-throughput sequencing technology was used to investigate bacterial and fungal community evolution in three mulching treatments with Vicia villosa for 8 years (VV_8), 4 years (VV_4), and clean tillage in a citrus orchard. This study covered three growth periods (citrus–grass: spring sprouting to budding period [SSBP], fruit swelling to withering period [FSWP], and fruit maturity to seeding period [FMSP]). The results showed that VV_4 and VV_8 treatments increased bacterial and fungal alpha diversity as well as the activities of nitrogen (N), carbon (C), and phosphorus cycling enzymes. C-cycling enzyme activity was the primary key factor driving changes in microbial diversity across growth periods. Under leguminous green mulching, bacteria alpha diversity increased the most during FSWP, while fungi increased the most during FMSP. Additionally, the relative abundance of Ascomycota and Basidiomycota significantly increased during the FSWP and FMSP, reaching 63.65–73.80 % and 79.73–84.51 %, respectively. With increasing mulching ages, the structural stability and synergistic effects of microorganisms were correspondingly enhanced. Furthermore, available nutrients determined microbial community evolution, with N availability being a key factor influencing microbial diversity, especially fungal diversity. In conclusion, as mulching ages increase, improved nutrient availability gradually enhances microbial diversity, synergistic interactions, and nutrient cycling functions, with copiotrophic taxa occupying a key position in the microbial network. FSWP is a critical turning point for enhancing microbial activity and C-cycling function. This study offers theoretical support for developing microbial regulation strategies to improve soil quality in orchard management practices.

Temperature sensitivity quandary of soil microbial community structure in Tibetan alpine grasslands: A meta-analysis and field experiment

Soil microorganisms act as the primary decomposers in global terrestrial ecosystems. Whether climate warming will lead to the convergence of the temperature sensitivity of soil microbial community structure and the convergence of the responses of soil microbial community structure to warming remains controversial. This study explored how warming amplitude affected the temperature sensitivity of soil bacteria and fungi community structures, and how it influenced the responses of soil bacteria and fungi community structures to warming on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau based on meta-analysis and a single-site warming experiment. The temperature sensitivity of soil microbial community structure did not consistently decline with increasing warming magnitude; instead, it even rose, which might be associated with the nonlinear relationships of the warming magnitude with the temperature sensitivity of ecological processes of soil microbial community assembly or the topological parameters of species co-occurrence network. Meta-analysis indicated that responses of soil microbial community to warming were independent of warming amplitude. However, the single-site warming experiment demonstrated that responses of soil microbial community to warming varied with warming amplitude. These inconsistent results might be attributed to distinct spatial scales, grassland types, climatic conditions and warming magnitudes between the single-site experiment and the meta-analysis. Therefore, the temperature sensitivity of soil microbial community and its response to climate warming cannot be simply characterized as monotonically decreasing or increasing in relation to increasing warming magnitude.

Increasing Ages of Inga punctata Tree Soils Facilitate Greater Fungal Community Abundance and Successional Development, and Efficiency of Microbial Organic Carbon Utilization

Leguminous Inga trees are thought to enhance soil carbon (C) accumulation following reforestation, through mostly unknown mechanisms. This study amplified soil DNA using the ITS1F and ITS4 primers for PCR and Illumina MiSeq methods to identify fungal taxa, and traditional C analysis methods to evaluate how planted 4-, 8-, and 11-year-old Inga punctata trees affected soil fungal community compositions and C utilization patterns compared to old-growth I. punctata trees and an adjacent unplanted pasture within the same reforestation zone in Monteverde, Costa Rica. Along the tree age gradient, the planted I. punctata trees enhanced the tree soil C capture capacity, as indicated by increased levels of soil biomass C, Respiration, and efficiency of organic C use (with lower qCO2 values), and development of increasingly more abundant, stable, and successionally developed fungal communities, including those associated with the decomposition of complex organic C compounds. The level and strength of differences coincided with differences in the time of separation between the pasture and tree age or between the different tree ages. Fungal taxa were also identified as potential indicators of the early and late stages of soil recovery. Thus, planting I. punctata should be part of future reforestation strategies used in this region of the Monteverde Cloud Forest in Costa Rica.

Differential effects of urbanization-induced heavy metal pollution on soil microbial communities under evergreen and deciduous trees

Urbanization has significantly increased heavy metal contamination in urban soils, adversely affecting soil microorganisms, which are vital indicators of soil quality. However, the effects of urbanization-induced metal pollution on soil microbial communities remains largely underestimated. This study examines soil microbial communities and properties beneath the canopy of three deciduous and three evergreen trees in urban parks, situated at varying distances from the city center. The results demonstrated that urbanization consistently alters soil physicochemical properties, including pH, soil moisture, and specific heavy metal contents (e.g., Zn, Mn, Cr). The α-diversity of soil bacterial community was significantly influenced by pH and specific heavy metals (e.g., Cr, Cd), whereas the α-diversity of fungal community was affected by pH, independent of heavy metal concentrations. The response of heavy metal content to urbanization exhibited a consistent pattern across both deciduous and evergreen trees, although the effect differed between these tree types. Furthermore, urbanization impacts the diversity, structure, composition and network of soil microbial communities. Notably, the Shannon index of soil fungal communities under deciduous species shows an initial increase, followed by a decline as urbanization intensifies. In contrast, the Simpson index of soil bacteria under evergreen tree species decreases with increased urbanization. Moreover, urbanization alters soil bacterial networks, with higher network density observed in less urbanized areas. It may also affect microbial functions, such as xenobiotic and lipid metabolism. This study provided a theoretical basis for urban park soil management, which is crucial for enhancing urban soil ecosystem services and mitigating the adverse effects of urbanization.

Exploring the Effects of Trichoderma virens Biofungicide on Carrot Cavity Spot and Soil Fungal Community Dynamics

Carrot cavity spot (CCS) has conventionally been managed with fungicides. However, fungicide resistance, their potential risks to human health and the environment, and the increasing demand for organic produce necessitate the exploration of biofungicides as alternatives. In this study, we evaluated varying concentrations of SoilGard (Certis USA, Columbia, MD), a Trichoderma virens-based biofungicide, for efficacy against different CCS-causing Pythium species in vitro. Additionally, its effects on taxonomic and functional diversities of soil fungal communities were studied in vivo in the greenhouse. To our knowledge, this is the first study reporting SoilGard's effectiveness against CCS, with emphasis on its potential as an alternative for fungicide-resistant Pythium isolates. Our in vitro study revealed that SoilGard efficacy was significantly dose-dependent and isolate-specific, thus highlighting the importance of selecting its application rate and the target isolate. Analysis of soil fungal communities using Illumina MiSeq sequencing revealed that SoilGard exerted a significant, albeit temporary, effect on the fungal community structure. It negatively impacted co-occurrence network complexity and alpha diversity in carrot-cultivated soil, whereas bare soil communities remained largely unaffected, thus explaining why preplant applications may yield better results. Our study showed that carrot cultivation without SoilGard enhanced fungal diversity, which was more pronounced late in the season, possibly due to carrot root-associated exudates. Our study sheds light on how complex interactions within soil fungal communities can be impacted by the application of beneficial/pathogenic microbes.

Studies to assess natural resource recovery and evaluate monitoring methods for restored bottomland hardwood forests.

The Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration process assesses natural resource injury due to oil or chemical spills and calculates the damages to compensate the public for those injuries. Ecological restoration provides a means for recovering resources injured or lost due to contamination from oil or chemical spills by restoring the injured site after remediation, or acquiring or reconstructing equivalent resources off site to replace those lost due to the spill. In the case of restored forests, once restoration is implemented, monitoring of forest ecology helps keep recovery on track, with the maturation of forest vegetation, recovered soil conditions, and development of microbial, fungal, and faunal communities, necessary for ecologically functioning forests. This series of papers focuses on applying methods for monitoring restoration progress in forest vegetation and soils, and amphibian, avian, and mammalian communities, assessing strengths and weaknesses of different methods, and evaluating levels of effort needed to obtain accurate indications of forest ecological condition. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;00:1-5. © 2024 The Author(s). Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC).

Assessment of Fungal Contamination and Their Toxigenic Potential of Farmed Fish in Western Algeria

Fish and fish products have been documented as a major source of pathogens, with fungi playing a key role. In this paper, a survey was conducted to determine the presence of fungi in fish reared in various aquaculture farms in western Algeria, namely Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) and sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax). The search for micromycetes was carried out on different parts of the body: skin and flesh, gills, and intestines. A total of 1937 fungal strains were revealed and divided into 10 genera of filamentous fungi, one genus of yeast, and other yeasts that have not yet been determined. Penicillium was the most common genus, representing 41.56% of the fungal population, fol-lowed by Rhodotorula (17.60%), and Aspergillus (15.95%). The greatest number of isolates was identified in the gills of gilthead sea bream, while the lowest number was isolated from sea bass intestines. Secondly, we sought to highlight the toxigenic potential of the fungal strains isolated, using the brine shrimp lethality test. Five of the fungal strains tested, belonging to the two genera Penicillium and Aspergillus, showed toxic potential for Artemia salina. The highest toxicities were observed mainly by strains of Aspergillus parasiticus (APAR001), Aspergillus terreus (ATER002), and Aspergillus niger (ANIG001) respectively. Penicillium chrysogenum (PCHR002) showed the lowest activity. These results confirm the infection of farmed fish by toxigenic fungal communities, which can present a real health hazard to consumers. Regular monitoring and compliance with fish health management practices are recommended.

Analyses of Fungal Communities from Culture-Dependent and -Independent Studies Reveal Novel Mycobiomes Associated with Globodera and Heterodera Species

Plant-parasitic nematodes are important pathogens of agricultural crops. Of particular importance are cyst nematode species of Globodera and Heterodera, which remain a major constraint to global production of crops such as potato, soybean, and wheat. Recent restrictions on the use of some synthetic nematicides has created an urgent need for alternative methods of controlling cyst nematodes. This project aimed to (i) document fungi found associated with cyst nematodes, (ii) determine if the fungi associated with cyst nematodes are dependent on growth conditions or nematode species, (iii) identify core mycobiomes for each of the eight cyst nematode species, (iv) identify the core mycobiome across all cyst nematode species studied, and (v) determine if the fungi associated with Globodera species are structured geographically. Sixty cyst nematode populations from eight species— Globodera sp., G. ellingtonae, G. pallida, G. rostochiensis, H. avenae, H. carotae, H. glycines, and H. schachtii—were collected from several geographic locations globally and screened for fungi using both culture-dependent and -independent methods. The core mycobiome was determined for each species. In total, 744 species of fungi were found to be associated with cyst nematodes. Fungal species shared across all cyst nematode species included Pochonia sp., Sporothrix sp., Neocosmospora solani, Exophiala equina, Mortierella sp., and Sarocladium kiliense. The core mycobiomes were conserved between cyst nematode species irrespective of their geographic origin. Cyst nematodes collected from the field or from greenhouse cultures also recruited similar core mycobiomes. These findings could be relevant when choosing fungi to evaluate as biocontrol agents against cyst nematodes.

Environmental Factors Drive the Biogeographic Pattern of Hippophae rhamnoides Root Endophytic Fungal Diversity in the Arid Regions of Northwest China.

Hippophae rhamnoides subsp. sinensis Rousi (Abbrev. H. rhamnoides) stands as a vital botanical asset in ameliorating the ecological landscape of the arid regions in Northwest China, where its rhizospheric microorganisms serve as linchpins in its growth and developmental dynamics. This study aimed to explore the community structure characteristics and origin differences of root endophytic fungi in H. rhamnoides. Samples were collected from 25 areas where H. rhamnoides is naturally distributed along an altitude gradient in the northwest region. Then, endophytic fungi from different regions were analyzed by using high-throughput sequencing technology to compare the structural characteristics of endophytic fungi and examine their association with environmental factors. FUNGuild was employed to analyze the community structure and functions of endophytic fungi, and the results showed that each region had its own dominant endophytic fungal flora, demonstrating the differences in origin of endophytic fungi, and the specific endophytic flora acquired from the original soil in the growing season of H. rhamnoides will help us construct the microecological community structure. Furthermore, the study identified and assessed the diversity of fungi, elucidating the species structure and highlighting dominant species. The RDA analysis revealed that available phosphorus (AP), available potassium (AK), and total nitrogen (TN) exhibit significant correlations with the composition and diversity of root-associated fungi. In conclusion, the fungal community structure is similar within the same region, while significant differences exist in the taxonomic structure and biodiversity among different regions. These findings shed light on the intricate interplay and mechanisms governing the ecological restoration of H. rhamnoides, offering a valuable framework for advancing green ecology initiatives and harnessing the potential of root-associated microorganisms in this species.

Ectomycorrhizal fungi and the nitrogen economy of Nothofagus in southern Patagonia.

Subantarctic Nothofagus forests are the southernmost forests in the world, with negligible atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition. Most paradigms about the role of ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi in N cycling and plant N uptake at high latitudes have been tested in boreal coniferous forests, while in the southern hemisphere, ECM hosts are primarily angiosperms. Using ITS1 meta-barcoding, we characterized ECM and saprotrophic fungal communities in evergreen and deciduous Nothofagus forests forming monodominant and mixed stands in the archipelago of Tierra del Fuego (Chile and Argentina). We assessed the N economy of Nothofagus by correlating host species with fungal relative abundances, edaphic variables, net N mineralization, microbial biomass N and the activity of eight extracellular soil enzymes activities. The N economy of deciduous N. pumilio forests was strikingly similar to boreal coniferous forests, with the lowest inorganic N availability and net N mineralization, in correlation to higher relative abundances of ECM fungi with enzymatic capacity for organic N mobilization (genus Cortinarius). In contrast, the N economy of evergreen N. betuloides forests was predominantly inorganic and correlated with ECM lineages from the family Clavulinaceae, in acidic soils with poor drainage. Grassy understory vegetation in deciduous N. antarctica forests likely promoted saprotrophic fungi (i.e., genus Mortierella) in correlation with higher activities of carbon-degrading enzymes. Differences between Nothofagus hosts did not persist in mixed forests, illustrating the range of soil fertility of these ECM angiosperms and the underlying effects of soil and climate on Nothofagus distribution and N cycling in southern Patagonia.

Effect of Harvest Maturity and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum Inoculant on Dynamics of Fermentation Characteristics and Bacterial and Fungal Community of Triticale Silage

(1) Background: Suitable harvest maturity stage selection and microbial inoculation during anaerobic fermentation are effective strategies for improving the quality of triticale (×Triticosecale) silage for ruminant nutrition. (2) Methods: In the present study, the fermentation characteristics, microbial communities, and their correlations were evaluated for triticale silages, as affected by Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (LP) inoculation at the heading, flowering, filling, milk-ripening, and wax-ripening stages. (3) Results: The results indicate that the filling and milk-ripening stages without LP inoculation resulted in lower pH and higher lactic acid than other harvest maturity stages (p < 0.05). Inoculating with LP decreased the pH at each harvest maturity stage, except for the filling stage, and increased the lactic acid concentration at the heading and filling stages (p < 0.05). The bacterial dynamics indicated that the abundances of Lactiplantebacilli and Monascus of the triticale silages without the LP inoculation were different between the harvest maturity stages (p < 0.05), and the abundance of Enterobacters was different between the harvest maturity stages in the triticale silage (p < 0.05). Remarkably, negative correlations were found between the Lactiplantebacillus, Monascus, and pH and positive correlations were found between the Lactiplantebacillus, Monascus, and lactic acid content (p < 0.05). (4) Conclusions: The filling and milk-ripening stages were the most suitable harvest maturity stages for the triticale silage. Inoculation with LP could enhance the fermentation quality, increase the abundances of beneficial microorganisms, and inhibit harmful microorganisms in triticale silage.